"Old Red Sweatshirt"

By: Lawrence Bienemann
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:40:02
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

It has been too long since I took my daughter on her pre-college visits. At one West Coast university, I purchased a sweatshirt, as a remembrance of our trip. There’s nothing fancy about it. It’s the basic model: pull it on over your head, slip your hands into the small pouch on the front and pull up the hood. Of course the name of the school emblazoned in large letters across the front...Mine is red.

Over the years that sweatshirt has been my “go to” garment. My first choice. Preferred attire.. I try to wear it anytime I can, to any and all events. I think it’s my adult “blankie.” It got old and ratty. I took up mending. I rejected replacement offers. My family finally caught on: I am never going to part with it. We decided that, in the end, it will be cremated along with this old bag of bones.

I finally realized that I am equating my sweatshirt with my father’s ever present Blue Suit. He wore it to all important family events: church, weddings, funerals. Ultimately it is what he chose to be buried in. When I saw him in that suit for the last time, I remember thinking that somehow its fabric contained the memories of so many of his life’s significant events. They were all there, in that garment, ready to be extracted through some magic-like breakthrough in quantum physics.

Like my dad’s suit, my old red sweatshirt has been imprinted with some of my significant personal memories. Maybe that’s why I want to have it with me at the end. Until then, I can hold it, smell it and review all of the memories that are stored up in its fabric. No amount of washing can remove those. No amount of illness or disability can take them away.

What is your red sweatshirt?

Lawrence Bienemann is a co-founder of The Sheng Group, a management consulting firm specializing in small business start-ups. He is an RSVP Volunteer in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. He also speaks and writes on issues related to 'outrageous aging!. You can reach him by e-mail at lawrenceb@wildblue.net or 603-838-6577

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Happiness category

  • The Art of True Happiness - 5 Simple Tips To Live By - By: Burt Goldman
    The pursuit of happiness may be mankind's favourite pastime, but surprisingly few people know real happiness when they see it. Discover the 5 rules that truly happy people live by, and how you can implement them in your life.
  • Improve Your Psychological Health Using Subliminal Techniques - By: Evgheny Stivenson
    The article describes subliminal techniqies that can be used for self-help and personal development. You can improve self esteem, build confidence, overcome anxiety, become more sexually attractive with subliminal messages.
  • Reiki Abundance and Prosperity - By: Cristian Stan
    Everyone deserves to be happy. In fact, this can only happen when there is abundance and prosperity which happen to be the basic principles of Reiki.
  • Divorce Recovery: Beware Expectations! - By: Shelley Stile
    In a nutshell, expectations are premeditated resentments and disappointments. They are self-sabotaging beliefs we hold that literally set us up to feel bad and keep us stuck in the pain of our divorce. They are in direct conflict with how the world actually works and are based on the phrase, 'should be'. In order to let go of the pain of our divorce, we must let go of impossible expectations.
  • If it Makes you Happy, it can't be that Bad - By: Sandra Prior
    Next time you're feeling low, have a little of what you fancy and ditch the guilt. It can be good for you.
  • Hypnosis Audio CD Program - By: Crizza Reyes
    There are so many people offering a hypnosis CD or hypnosis audio programs. Statistics show that more and more people are looking for ways to feel better, be healthier and have a calm mind.
  • Baby Boomers Can Develop More Self-Confidence with These 5 Tips - By: Cynthia Barnett
    Baby Boomers who are feeling some uncertainty and anxiety about the future as retirees can develop more self-confidence about the future and the present with these tips from a leading retirement lifestyle coach.
  • Body Image and Self-Esteem - By: Jennifer Yates
    A closer look at the underlying causes of women's preoccupation with their bodies. How a negative body image affect self-esteem. What you can do to help increase self-worth.
  • Detach, Decide and Relax - By: Seth Manne
    FUN LAW OF ATTRACTION VIDEO EXERCISE. Author Seth Manne talks about an exercise for achieving happiness and being able to quickly manifested your desires
  • 10 Habits of Highly Effective Baby Boomers - By: Cynthia Barnett
    Learn how to make the rest of your life the best of your life with these critical tips from a leading retirement lifestyle expert. With these tips, you can enjoy a second phase of life (after retirement) that will be fulfilling, happy and exciting.